A cute, smiling, football-mad little eight-year-old asking "Mummy, am I safe now?" is the human cost of sex abuse two years on.

The sheets, pillows, mattress and even the bed that the youngster slept in the night an intruder broke into his house have been destroyed at his request, but the memories still linger.

Each night, before bed time, Jacob (not his real name) takes his mother around the windows and doors in their Southampton home one by one to make sure each is locked up - or sleep cannot be an option for the frightened child.

But even safe in the knowledge that he is secure in his own home, there will still be nightmares, interrupted sleep and constant demands on his parents.

His mother, who was abused herself by a neighbour when also just six, admits the strain on the family has been severe, "an absolute nightmare".

Life is just not the same for the family anymore, and may never be again.

"It has placed such a strain on all of us," she said, the threat of tears never leaving her sad eyes.

"For his grandparents it has brought back the memories of what happened to us (her sister was also abused) and it has placed a strain on the relationship between me and my husband.

"But of course, it is hardest for my child. He has missed a lot of school because of this with all the court cases and trips to the lawyers.

"And having to tell his story over and over again to different lawyers can't be good for him. It is not right. How can a child be held in limbo for two years waiting for a trial?

"It even affects the type of movies we watch now. Anything with a break-in is now off limits. He doesn't always say anything, but you can see a change come over his face - it is tough.

"Sometimes in the night he comes and wakes us up and we just stay up talking about whatever he feels comfortable with - he has missed school because of that as well.

"They say that he will grow out of these things, but you just don't know."

Financial hardships have struck the family too, with the mother having to give up her work "so I can be with my son". And the court appearances have meant days off for her self-employed husband - something they can ill-afford.

"We don't go out for meals any more, we don't go to the movies," she added.

"Some of that is the money and some is just that he doesn't want to go to those places - just seeing a bald man can set him off. It has been hard. The effect these things have is enormous. Life just isn't the same anymore."